Add large hive body above or below?

jdesq · May 21, 2010, 10:43:16 AM

I have 3 hives that consist of 1 standard hive body on the bottom and 1 medium super on top. I would like to add 1 more standard hive body to the hive before I begin to add more mediums later. I want the standard hive bodies together so I can leave them eventually for next winter. Do I add the standard body between the other and the medium or do I put it on the bottom? I hope I explained this clearly.
Which way would be the best?

D Coates · May 21, 2010, 10:50:52 AM

I'd add the deep above the deep if you temps are consistantly warm there. Yea, you'll have an open spot but with the flow coming they should build out those frames pretty quickly and put the honey in the super once the brood had emerged.

Kathyp · May 21, 2010, 10:54:18 AM

i would put it under. assuming that the bees have made the brood nest through the center of all or most of what you have on now, you don't want to break the brood nest.

your hives seem to be getting large. have you considered splits or nucs?

jdesq · May 21, 2010, 11:05:20 AM

Quote from: kathyp on May 21, 2010, 10:54:18 AM
i would put it under. assuming that the bees have made the brood nest through the center of all or most of what you have on now, you don't want to break the brood nest.

your hives seem to be getting large. have you considered splits or nucs?

I have split 2 other hives a few weeks ago. We are having a perfect spring here in WI for the bees.

riverrat · May 21, 2010, 11:11:13 AM

I would put it on top the first deep move a frame of brood up into the new deep if it has foundation from the bottom deep to help get them started in the new deep

MustbeeNuts · May 22, 2010, 06:56:14 AM

Im with riverrat, take some of the frames from the bottom deep and put them in the center of the new deep, on top. that will make a bridge and pull some up. they will fill it just fine,

Superdog · May 22, 2010, 09:05:36 AM

Id put it on top. Bees like to work up.... not down.

Kathyp · May 22, 2010, 10:14:53 AM

superdog, that is incorrect. they work down. that's why i prefer to add boxes under. however, putting the box on top of the other deep will probably be ok if brood is moved and IF there are enough bees to cover brood and keep it warm throughout that entire space.
my weather is still very cool. i would not want to move brood right now. his weather may be much better and he can do it.

wd · May 22, 2010, 01:08:57 PM

I use hive staples on the bottom board.. so, I add to the top.

Ted n Ms · May 23, 2010, 12:43:16 AM

I allways add to the top and never had any problems to get them to go up and then later add a honey to the top.

Thymaridas · May 23, 2010, 01:38:35 AM

Think about what you want your bees to do, and then figure out how to help them do it with minimal disruption. And remember that you are working toward the winter.

For your winter configuration you want the cluster to start out in the bottom and move up through the winter. You already have the queen and brood on the bottom, so why make them move? Put the next deep on top for them to fill with honey.

Now do you really need to add to the hive now or should you wait?

1. Are all your frames drawn out? And are they filling the super with nectar? What %?
2. Do you still have good nectar flow and pollen?
3. What is coming up in the near future?

It is fun to mess around inside ;), but do it as little as possible, so as to minimize potential damage and queen loss.

Have fun.